LeBron James is headed to the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season, and Cleveland is left to sort through what comes next after being in the mix until the end. The 76ers, according to the source, went all out to land him, and now the Cavaliers have to pivot fast.
One obvious place to start is Dennis Schroder’s money. Getting that contract off the books is part of the logic behind several possible moves, and Cleveland is already known to be looking to move on from it. Any deal that clears Schroder’s $14.8 million would give the Cavs more room to reshape the roster.
That’s where a player like Jonathan Kuminga comes into the picture. He had been mentioned as Cleveland’s backup option if James didn’t return, and if that remains the thinking, bringing him in would likely require a major sign-and-trade.
The source notes that Atlanta is dealing with a roster crunch and a luxury tax issue after its big offseason, which could open the door. Kuminga is seeking a deal in the $15-20 million range, and a three-team setup with the Hornets and Hawks could help Cleveland move Schroder while also sending out a player such as Max Strus or Sam Merrill, both of whom carry significant contracts.
Another path would be to chase a big defensive wing, especially after James’ move to Philadelphia. Moving on from Schroder and one of Strus or Merrill could be the kind of package that gets it done.
Dillon Brooks is one name floated in that lane, and the appeal is obvious: he makes life miserable for offenses, has the edge to bother star players, and can score when needed. The source says he’s the kind of defensive wing who could bring some of the aggression Cleveland seems to be missing, while also allowing Evan Mobley to settle more fully into a primary big-man defensive role.
There’s also the more dramatic option of Anthony Davis. That would be a risky swing because of his injury history, but the upside is just as clear: when he’s right, he’s an All-NBA player. Cleveland’s front office has shown it isn’t afraid of going after older players, and that kind of move would come with a major ripple effect.
Jarrett Allen would be the hard name to move in that scenario, but the source makes clear that dealing him would be a painful decision that could completely change Mobley’s role on the team.
James’ long decision process makes any major move harder for Cleveland, but not impossible. The Cavs still have a path to enter the season with new impact players if they choose to act.
In Other News...
Cavs May Be Eyeing A Much Bigger Answer After LeBron
With LeBron James now headed to Philadelphia, Clevelands offseason focus has shifted from one headline chase to a wider search for answers. The Cavaliers are looking at several free agent possibilities as they try to reshape the roster, with Jonathan Kuminga and Mario Hezonja among the names already tied to the team.
Kuminga has emerged as a particularly intriguing fit for Cleveland, while Hezonja is trying to work his way back into the league after spending time overseas. The Cavs are still sorting through their options, and the next move may say as much about their long-term direction as it does about the immediate roster around James Harden. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers May Have Found A Depth Upgrade Without Burning More Assets
The Cavaliers are still working the margins of their roster as they chase a bigger swing this offseason, and Dennis Schrder has quickly emerged as one of the more logical pieces to monitor. Cleveland just brought him in, but his contract and the teams financial picture make him the kind of player who could be moved if the front office sees a cleaner path to balance depth, flexibility and the larger goal of positioning itself for a reunion with LeBron James.
One speculative framework making the rounds would send Schrder and a future second-round pick into a broader three-team arrangement, the sort of deal that lets Cleveland tweak the back end of the roster without parting with a more significant asset. Nothing is locked in, of course, but the fact that Schrder is already being discussed as a trade chip says plenty about how aggressively the Cavaliers are trying to squeeze value out of every roster spot while keeping their bigger plans intact. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Cannot Afford To Miss On Their Next Frontcourt Move
After missing out on LeBron James, Cleveland is back in the familiar position of trying to build something sturdier around its current core. Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, James Harden and Jarrett Allen give the Cavaliers a strong starting point, but the next frontcourt addition matters because it has to complement what is already in place rather than just fill a seat on the roster.
P.J. Washington has emerged as one name worth watching, and the appeal is obvious for a team looking for more balance up front. He can slide between the three and four, which gives Cleveland some lineup flexibility, and his fit alongside Mobley and Allen makes him the kind of player the front office cannot afford to miss on if the opportunity opens up through Dallas' changing roster picture. [Read more 🡒]